Good Fences Make Good Neighbors -
Safeguarding Your Computer

Good fences make good neighbors. We all know that old adage to be true. The same adage can be applied to your computer, only instead of a fence, you can add an important layer of protection between your computer and the Internet by installing a firewall program.

Why Would Someone Hack Your Computer?
Besides gaining access to your private information, such as financial records or password files, intruders can, and do, use individuals' computers to:

—Launch denial of service (DoS) attacks against a high profile Web site. Once gaining control, the hacker can direct your computer, and hundreds or thousands of other so-called "zombies," to act simultaneously, which overloads and effectively shuts down a popular site.

—Distribute software illegally. After appropriating space on your hard drive, they enable others to access your computer as a "warez" site and download pirated entertainment or business applications.

What's the Risk of DSL or Cable Modem?
If you have a DSL or cable modem you have an "always on" connection, and your risk is greater because your computer is not a moving target. For example, when you use a dial-up connection, your computer gets a different network address every time you log on; however, using DSL or cable, you have a static network address. If you take advantage of the "always on" connection, your computer's address is even more available to hackers. There is also a risk from "sharing the wire;" those in your neighborhood with the same cable service could potentially trespass on your computer. A firewall can help protect your computer in such instances.

Take these steps to protect your information and ensure the long life of your computer:

• Use antivirus software.
• Keep your software up-to-date.
• Use a firewall. If you're using Microsoft Windows® XP, you can set the level of protection you desire with the Internet Connection Firewall installed with the XP program.
• Turn off your "always on" connection when you don't need to be online.

I'm sure you all know not to open e-mail attachments until you scan it for viruses first. But remember the scan is only as good as your virus definitions, and in order for your anti-virus program to be effective, you must remember to update your virus definitions on a weekly basis. Most anti-virus programs have a scheduler so you can set it up to get the live update and scan your hard drive automatically on a routine basis.

You should also schedule a Windows update to notify you as soon as security flaws and critical update patches are available and issued by Microsoft. Remember that Microsoft DOES NOT send an e-mail telling you to patch or download an update. Opening and executing an e-mail security patch notification is NOT a good idea. Currently circulating on the Internet, is an e-mail is that appears to come from Microsoft Corporation and it advises the recipient to patch a security flaw with an attached executable file or it directs you to a bogus Web site that contains malicious code. Do not open the executable file, do not click the bogus link.

The easiest and safest way to check for critical updates from Microsoft is by clicking on your computer's Start Button, and then click on Windows Update. Once on the Windows update site, follow the instructions to scan for critical updates, download and install them.

Understanding the latest computer attacks:
SOBIG.F VIRUS. Latest incarnation of a nasty program that spreads by e-mail. Once a user opens the infected file, Sobig scours the computer and sends scores of messages to any e-mail addresses it finds. Considered the fastest-spreading such virus, affecting nearly 6 percent of e-mail messages worldwide since Aug. 18.
BLASTER WORM. Also known as MSBlast or Lovsan. Detected Aug. 11, has affected more than 500,000 computers running Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows NT 4.0 and Windows Server 2003.
WELCHIA WORM. Also known as Nachi, discovered Aug. 18. Masquerades as program that will protect computers against Blaster but has caused severe slowdowns and knocked systems offline. Affects the same Windows versions as Blaster.

For a FREE computer virus scan, visit
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

I've been happy with my Norton Anti-virus program but there are many others out there like McAffee, Sophos, etc. I use a Norton Firewall on my laptop as it came bundled with my Norton Anti-Virus software; but my favorite firewall program is called Black Ice which I've used on my desktop PC for about four years now. It's a nifty little program from Network Ice that's easy to configure, runs quietly in the background, and will instantly block attacks, immediately alert you to trouble, and offers you an explanation of the threat. It's the best $39.95 I ever spent! I highly recommend it. Visit http://blackice.iss.net/index.php for additional information. You can purchase the program online or find it in most computer supply stores.

N.L. Amelse
nikki@treasurecoasthost.com
09/05/03